A GLAD SURPRISE
For a moment Jerry hesitated, but for a moment only. He realized that
this was the only means of salvation for himself and his friends, and,
though there was a suspicion that the commander of the submarine was
perhaps a vindictive crank, there was no choice. So Jerry started down
the iron stairs that led into the interior of the vessel.
“One moment, please,” said the commander, “you’ll not need your life
preserver here. It takes up too much room, and we have not much to
spare. We have to utilize every inch in a submarine. Besides, I have
preservers of my own. Kindly discard it, if you please.”
Jerry did so, calling to his companions to do the same. Then, taking a
last look at the _Comet_, he went down the hatchway.
The others followed, Professor Snodgrass being the last to go down. And
as he entered the hole that led into the boat Ned, who was just ahead
of him, heard him say:
“Oh, that lovely black beetle. I have lost him. Oh, what a calamity.”
“Better lose him than your life,” commented Ned. “And we couldn’t have
stayed aboard the _Comet_ another minute. It’s too bad we had to desert
her. Dear old _Comet_! There’ll never be another like her.”
“Yes, she served us well,” spoke the scientist. “But perhaps all is for
the best. At least I am in a submarine, and now I may get those crabs.
Yes, I’m sure everything is for the best,” and he seemed quite resigned
to the change.
The four had descended into a plainly furnished room at the foot of
the companionway leading to the opening in the deck. As soon as the
Professor was standing beside the three boys the German stepped to
where several levers and wheels were set into the wall, and moved
a small handle. Immediately a grinding sound was heard overhead,
the sliding of steel on steel, and the refugees realized that the
hatch-cover was closed--hermetically sealed, of necessity. They were
bottled up in the submarine, and with a strange man of whom they knew
little.
“But there must be others,” reasoned Jerry. “He can’t run this all
alone, and his crew can’t all be as crusty as he seems to be. I guess
we’ll be all right. Anyhow, it’s all we could do--come aboard her.”
The aged commander turned and faced his guests.
“Perhaps,” he said, “I had better ask your names, and then I will tell
you all that is necessary to know about myself--and my vessel.”
Jerry responded to the implied request by giving the names of his
companions and himself. He also briefly related their object in being
so far to sea in their airship, and told how they were practically
assured of the safety of Mr. Sheldon and his daughter. They had
intended to return home in a day or so, but the bolt of lightning had
wrecked their craft.
“And you thought to have a little sport in chasing me; eh? Did you
not?” asked the German gruffly.
“Well, we meant no harm,” said Jerry, in some confusion. “To tell you
the truth we are much interested in submarines. We had some idea of
getting one of our own, and we wanted to talk to you about it.”
“I see,” said the German, a little mollified. “I have a wonderful craft
here, even though I invented her myself. Allow me to tell you my name.
I am Dr. Emanuel Klauss, of Hamburg, and I----”
“I have heard of you!” interrupted Professor Snodgrass, eagerly, while
Ned looked at his chums as much as to say: “This is the man I was
telling you about.”
“Are you not the inventor of the Klauss refracting microscope?” went on
Professor Snodgrass. “That instrument which has been such an invaluable
aid to the proper study of insect life. Are you that Dr. Klauss?”
“I am,” was the answer, “but I count that among the least of my
achievements. I am devoting all my time now to submarines.” He did not
seem ill-pleased that his fame was known to one he had strangely picked
up at random out of the sea.
“This boat has only recently been completed,” went on Dr. Klauss, “and
I am giving it a severe test. You have seen me before, I believe.”
“Twice before,” replied Jerry with a smile. “We were just saying that
there must be one more, for luck goes in threes.”
“Bah! I have no use for luck!” exclaimed the German, snapping his
fingers. “But I must not forget that you are my guests. As I said, we
have not too much room aboard, but I will try to make you comfortable.
First you will want dry garments. I think some of my crew are small
enough so that their clothes will fit you--temporarily, at least,” and
he glanced at stout Bob.
“If you could arrange to stand by our craft until morning,” spoke
Jerry, eagerly, “we might get some of our things off her. I think she
will keep afloat until then.”
“I shall be far away from here in the morning,” said Dr. Klauss,
coldly. “It is impossible for me to grant your request. I am sorry, but
you will have to make the best of it.”
“Oh, we don’t want to put you out,” returned Ned, “and we realize that
it was providential of you to be here at all and save us. I guess we’ll
just have to stand our loss--that’s all.”
“And my specimens!” exclaimed the professor. “It is too bad that I
could not get my black beetle; but there was such confusion I could not
find him. However, I am glad to be with you, Dr. Klauss. I think we
shall be mutually helpful. Tell me--can you go to the bottom of the sea
in your vessel?”
“Yes. I have been there several times--of course not in the deepest
part, but at a good depth.”
“And have you diving dress--any arrangement for getting out of here to
the very sea bottom itself?” asked the scientist eagerly.
“Yes, that can be done. But----”
“Then it is all right,” interrupted Professor Snodgrass, with a sigh
of contentment. “I shall be able to get my hermit crabs, and when
I do, and write a monograph on them I shall, in it, acknowledge my
indebtedness to you, my dear Dr. Klauss.”
“Humph!” exclaimed the crusty German, and he did not seem any too well
pleased with the intended honor.
“Then you can’t stand by the wreck of our craft until morning?” asked
Jerry, with a last hope. “I don’t mean to save her, but merely to allow
us to get off some of our possessions.”
“I am sorry to say I cannot,” was the answer. “I should be on my way
now. I merely came to the surface to replenish my air supply. That will
be completed in a few minutes, and then we will go below.”
“Under the ocean?” queried Bob, with a gasp.
“Certainly under the ocean. Are you afraid?”
“No--no. Only it’s our first experience.”
“Not that we mind,” put in Ned. “We were going to take up submarine
traveling next, anyhow.”
“Humph!” exclaimed the German. “Well, I do not mind showing you about
my craft. There are some secrets, of course, but I am not afraid of you
finding them out. I think you will enjoy seeing the workings of the
_Sonderbaar_.”
“I am sure we shall,” said Jerry, wondering if Dr. Klauss was always so
grouchy.
“Now to get you more comfortable,” went on the German commander. “If
you will come with me I will see if my men cannot fit you out with dry
garments.”
He opened a sliding door that led from the compartment, which seemed to
be as much a reception room as anything else. At once a wonderful sight
was revealed to the boys.
They stood in a long passageway that ran lengthwise of the craft,
amidships. At one end could be seen a glittering array of machinery, at
the sight of which Jerry’s heart beat with delight. Between them and
the engine room could be seen other compartments, evidently living,
sleeping and dining quarters.
Forward were other pieces of apparatus, tanks for the storage of air,
other tanks for the holding of water ballast and at the extreme bow
was the pilot house, the walls of which were a maze of wheels, gears,
levers, switches and controls.
Just aft of the pilot house there seemed to be a main cabin, and in
this, seated at a table, on which were spread books and papers, sat a
man and a girl. A soft light glowed over their heads, revealing their
features clearly.
And, at the sight of them Bob Baker uttered a cry--a cry of surprise
and joy.
“My uncle!” he exclaimed, starting forward. “My Uncle Nelson Sheldon,
and my Cousin Grace! How in the world did they get here? I--I----”
But words failed Bob, while his chums were also too stunned to be able
to say anything.